8 Tips for Family Travel on a Budget

Family trips are a great way to spend the holidays and to create an even tighter bond. But with any family travel, you’ll need to set aside a large sum of money to fund the airline tickets, accommodation and expenses during your holiday. Is it possible to travel on a budget? Of course! Here are 8 tips for family travel on a budget.

1) Plan out your route

This is especially true if you’re doing multiple destinations. For example, if you’re flying into Europe and plan on visiting a few major cities, plan your route in advance so you can decide which will be the city you fly into and how you will travel to the other cities. Will you be taking the train? Or will you take local low-cost carriers? How much do these costs? Alternatively, you may even want to rent a car and do a road trip instead!

Image Credit: CompareHero.my

2) Research various accommodation options before booking

With sites like Agoda.com, Booking.com, and Airbnb, you’re spoilt for choice. Do research before booking the accommodation you come across. These sites can offer great savings and if you’re lucky, you could book on the day that they have a great deal. Decide which type of accommodation to go for, for example, a whole apartment unit that might be better suited for your family versus a hotel room. Also, look at the hotel sites directly and see if they offer a better rate. Research is key!

Image Credit: CompareHero.my

3) Fly with low-cost carriers and book early

Although we all would love to have luxury in the air and opt for comfort in the flight, low-cost carriers are a great alternative if you’re travelling on a budget. Research and compare the prices across different airlines and assess which ones give you a better deal for you and your family.

Image Credit: CompareHero.my

4) Consider a local/nearby destination

If budget is a concern, consider a local destination that you could drive to or nearby countries that you can fly to on a low-cost carrier for your holiday. Choose destinations which give you the currency advantage.

Image Credit: CompareHero.my

5) Rack up rewards or air miles every time you spend

Your air miles or credit cards that give you rewards can be your best friend on travels. Swipe and earn rewards or miles every time you spend. You could either gain discounts or air miles that can be converted for many more future family trips.

Image Credit: CompareHero.my

6) Opt for a city pass if available

Buy a daily pass if it’s available for public transport and tourist attractions. Some cities offer this to tourist and it is usually a lot cheaper to use a daily pass than to pay the individual fee each time.

Image Credit: CompareHero.my

7) Research activities and timing in advance

Some attractions, museums or activities offer free entry on specific days. Some also offer special discounts during different periods of the year. Do a little bit of research to find out the best time to travel and earn greater savings.

Image Credit: CompareHero.my

8) Pack snacks

Food makes up a large part of our holidays. You could pack some dry snacks such as energy bars, to save you the cost of having to buy them when you travel. It’s also a great way to keep tummies filled in between meals, therefore giving you, even more, savings!

CompareHero.my strives to empower Malaysians with financial literacy and the tools to make better financial decisions in life. Find and compare the best credit cards, personal loans and broadband plans on CompareHero.my today.